Evolution of British Attitudes Toward Homosexuality
JOHN WOLFENDEN C.B.E.1
1 Chairman of the University Grants Committee, 13/14 Park Crescent, London W. 1, England
The author, who chaired the British departmental committee to examine the law and practice relating to homosexual offenses and prostitution, explains the thinking behind the recommendations of the committee's report. The function of the criminal law is to preserve public order and decency and to protect the weak from exploitation rather than to impose a particular pattern of moral behavior. It follows, then, that there are areas of life which are no concern of the criminal law even though they may be of significant moral concern to individuals and to society.
